On a tragic Tuesday evening in Niles, Michigan, the life of 15-year-old Demi Mae Galvin was cut short. On September 20, 2022, Demi was at a friend's house on North 6th Street when a group of individuals approached the residence and opened fire. The shooting, which occurred around 11:37 p.m., resulted in the deaths of Demi and 18-year-old Yasmeen Scott. Three teenage boys were also injured in the incident.
Authorities believe the shooting was not a random act of violence but rather a targeted event, part of a cycle of retaliation between two groups. This incident was the latest in a string of violence that had plagued the Niles community in the preceding weeks. Law enforcement officials have linked the shooting that killed Demi and Yasmeen to the recent homicides of 36-year-old Farries Maxwell on August 16, 2022, and 26-year-old Ra'Quon Glenn on September 8, 2022. The locations of these prior shootings were in close proximity to the scene of Demi's death.
Demi, who was born on May 7, 2007, in Michigan City, Indiana, was remembered for her kind heart and infectious smile. She had a profound love for animals and had rescued many throughout her life. With an interest in hairstyling and manicuring, she harbored dreams of one day becoming a beautician. Her family described her as a loving daughter and sister who enjoyed being surrounded by family and friends.
In the wake of the shooting, the City of Niles Police Department, in conjunction with the Berrien County Sheriff's Department and the Michigan State Police, launched an investigation. Officials have implored the community to come forward with any information that might lead to the identification and apprehension of those responsible. Despite the ongoing investigation and pleas for public assistance, no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting that claimed the lives of Demi Galvin and Yasmeen Scott.
